• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 13, 2025

CBS Sports Off To Best NFL Television Start in 12 Years

  • Packers-Patriots draws biggest Week 4 audience since CBS’ return to NFL in 1998.
  • NFL on CBS games are averaging 18.559 million viewers through Week 4.
Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports

Before kicking off NFL’s 2022 season, CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus likened the league to a speeding “freight train” that only gets bigger and faster every year.

At the quarter pole of the season, McManus appears to be as talented at predictions as his star analyst Tony Romo.

CBS is off to its best NFL start in 12 years, with the “NFL on CBS” game telecasts averaging 18.559 million viewers so far this season.

The network’s late Sunday afternoon broadcast of the Green Bay Packers’ 27-24 overtime victory over the New England Patriots at venerable Lambeau Field averaged a whopping 24.647 million viewers. 

That was up 8% from last season’s comparable telecast. It marked CBS’s most-watched Week 4 game window since the network returned to the NFL rotation in 1998.

Meanwhile, Paramount+, which streams live local-market games, is on pace for its most-streamed NFL season ever. 

During Week 4, the platform scored double-digit year-over-year growth in households, minutes and average minute audience (AMA). 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen runs with the ball looking to throw to a receiver during second half action at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Dec. 7, 2025

NFL, NCAA Rail Against Prediction Markets: ‘Catastrophic’

Executives for the leagues offered fresh criticisms of the lack of regulation.
Atlantic Coast's Kylie Johnson (5) makes a flag pull against Ribault during the Gateway Conference high school flag football tournament on April 2, 2024.

NFL Owners Vote to Spend $1 Million Per Team on New Flag..

The league’s investment arm will invest up to $32 million total.

NFL Adds Munich to 2026 International Slate

A planned return to Munich adds to the growing slate of global games.
Sponsored

20 Years of Coastal Cool: How Johnnie-O Became a Force in Golf,..

A style movement powering one of the fastest-growing brands in sports and lifestyle.

Featured Today

Dec 9, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles against Toronto Raptors guard Jamal Shead (23) during the first half at the 2025-26 NBA Emirates Cup at Scotiabank Arena

The Lucrative NBA Cup Is Here to Stay

The in-season tournament, launched in 2023, is turning into a staple.
The Los Angeles Chargers host executives from UCLA Health on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
December 7, 2025

The Multibillion-Dollar Business of Pro Athlete Recovery

What started as ice baths has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry.
Big League Wiffle Ball
November 29, 2025

Celebrity-Backed Wiffle Ball Has Big-League Aspirations

Big League Wiffle Ball team owners include Kevin Costner and David Adelman.
November 24, 2025

How NBA Arena Experiences Went Ultra-Luxe

For the most connected guests, the game has become a secondary attraction.

MLS Cup Surges to Record 4.6M Viewers As Nielsen Sorts Data Issues

Viewership spikes for the league’s championship event.
December 11, 2025

Ellison Takes Fight for TNT Sports Parent Straight to Shareholders

A lengthy and emotional letter implores investors to tender their shares.
December 12, 2025

Here’s How Many People Streamed Pat McAfee’s Debut Single ‘Dookie’

McAfee’s debut single “Dookie” pulled surprising early streaming numbers across platforms.
Sponsored

20 Years of Coastal Cool: How Johnnie-O Became a Force in Golf,..

A style movement powering one of the fastest-growing brands in sports and lifestyle.
Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen (1) and Mercedes driver George Russell (63) pose for a photo with race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase following the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
December 11, 2025

F1 Breaks Ratings Record, Widespread Changes Coming in 2026

ESPN held F1’s U.S. broadcasting rights for eight years.
exclusive
December 11, 2025

FloSports Buys Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series

Dirt racing was a major audience driver on FloSports this year.
exclusive
December 10, 2025

Christine Williamson Replacing Elle Duncan on ‘SportsCenter,’ ‘College GameDay’

Williamson landed the two highly coveted jobs after Duncan left for Netflix.
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua, right, looks on during a NCAA men's basketball game against Bellarmine at Purcell Pavilion on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, in South Bend.
opinion
December 10, 2025

Notre Dame’s TV Ratings Don’t Match Its Reputation

The Fighting Irish were the 15th most-watched college team this season, according to Nielsen.